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Electrician

Our electricians keep the NHS running by making sure electrical systems and equipment are safe and working correctly. 

Working life

The NHS relies on electric power and electrical equipment. They are essential to keep hospitals and other NHS buildings safe and working efficiently. Many NHS services use complex electrical equipment to treat patients, keep IT-based records and provide services such as heating, catering, laundry, etc.

electrician with lift

As an electrician in the NHS, your work will include:

  • planned maintenance
  • repairing equipment that is broken or faulty
  • testing equipment and systems
  • improvements and installations

Who will I work with?

You'll work alongside other estates services staff such as plumbers [1], carpenters [2] or bricklayers [3] as well as estates and facilities managers [4]. You may travel between sites in an NHS vehicle or their own van.

Apprenticeships logo

While electricians are working inside a building, staff and patients may be there, but electricians do not have direct contact with healthcare staff or patients.

Electricians may work for businesses providing electrical services to the NHS.

Entry requirements 

To be fully qualified as an electrician, you need a level 3 qualification, usually an NVQ and/or a Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment.

Although electricians often join the NHS fully qualified and experienced, it may be possible to train as an electrician.  Employers usually ask for at least three GCSEs (or equivalent), including maths, English and science. They may ask for some experience in construction or other practical work and a driving licence.

Many NHS services use complex electrical equipment to treat patients, keep IT-based records and provide services such as heating and catering

There are sometimes apprenticeships in estates support/estates maintenance that can provide this type of experience. Find out more about apprenticeships [5]

Skills needed

Electricians need to be

  • very health and safety aware
  • able to follow procedures
  • careful and responsible
  • able to work alone or unsupervised when necessary
  • able to work to deadlines
  • good manual (hand) skills
  • organisational skills
  • time management skills

Training and development 

When you start as a trainee electrician, your training will include

  • health and safety
  • how to use the tools and equipment
  • all aspects of electrical work

You will be encouraged to study for qualifications such as NVQs.

  • Estates staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) [6] pay system. As an estates support worker, you could start on AfC [7] band 2. As a qualified electrician in estates maintenance, you will typically start on AfC [7] band 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4 and above. 

    Electricians in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. The job may involve shifts including early starts, evenings and weekends. Electricians may be part of an on-call rota for emergency cover.

    Terms and conditions will usually be different for electricians working outside of the NHS.

  • Once fully qualified and with experience, an electrician can become a team leader, supervising the work of others. With further experience you could progress to manager, responsible for electrical services in a hospital, area or trust.

    Electricians may be able to move into other estates services roles [8] such as estates technician [9]. They can apply to train as engineers [10]. 

    There are opportunities outside the NHS.

  • If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work. Find out more about NHS values. [11]

    Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs [12]. Some advertise on their own websites. You can find a list of NHS organisations on NHS Choices [13].

    Find a vacancy

    • Electrician / Multi-Skilled Craftsperson (Electrical Bias)

      Burton on Trent, DE13 0RB

      Salary:
      £30509.00 to £33481.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrician / Multi-Skilled Craftsperson (Electrical Bias) job (opens in a new window) [14]
    • Electrician

      Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ

      Salary:
      £26530.00 to £29114.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrician job (opens in a new window) [15]
    • Electrician

      Beckenham, BR3 3BX

      Salary:
      £31081.00 to £33665.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrician job (opens in a new window) [16]
    • Maintenance Electrician

      London, SW17 0YF

      Salary:
      £31944.00 to £34937.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Electrician job (opens in a new window) [17]
    • Maintenance Electrician

      Prestwich, M253BL

      Salary:
      £26530.00 to £29114.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Electrician job (opens in a new window) [18]
    • Electrical Technician

      Harrogate, HG2 7SX

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Harrogate Integrated Facilities
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrical Technician job (opens in a new window) [19]
    • Electrical Craftperson

      Nottingham, NG7 2UH

      Salary:
      £26530.00 to £29114.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrical Craftperson job (opens in a new window) [20]
    • Electrical Estates Manager

      Brighton, BN2 5BE

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrical Estates Manager job (opens in a new window) [21]
    • Maintenance Technician (Electrical)

      Luton, LU4 0DZ

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Technician (Electrical) job (opens in a new window) [22]
    • Maintenance Craftsperson (Electrical)

      Luton, LU4 0DZ

      Salary:
      £26530.00 to £29114.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Craftsperson (Electrical) job (opens in a new window) [23]
    • Maintenance Craftsperson - Electrical

      London, SW12 9NU

      Salary:
      £31944.00 to £34937.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Craftsperson - Electrical job (opens in a new window) [24]
    • Craftsman (Electrical Engineering)

      Plymouth, PL6 8DH

      Salary:
      £26530.00 to £29114.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Craftsman (Electrical Engineering) job (opens in a new window) [25]
    • Estates Officer - Electrical

      Bristol, BS2 8HW

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Estates Officer - Electrical job (opens in a new window) [26]
    • Maintenance Technician (Electrical)

      Bedford, MK42 9DJ

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Technician (Electrical) job (opens in a new window) [27]
    • Multi-skilled Technician (Electrical)

      Doncaster, DN4 8QN

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Multi-skilled Technician (Electrical) job (opens in a new window) [28]
    • Estates Electrical Team Leader

      London, SE5 8AZ

      Salary:
      £35964.00 to £43780.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Estates Electrical Team Leader job (opens in a new window) [29]
    • Specialist Engineering Supervisor - Electrical

      317 01 Freeman Hospital, NE7 7DN

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialist Engineering Supervisor - Electrical job (opens in a new window) [30]
    • Maintenance Engineer (Electrical Bias)

      Cardiff, CF14 4XW

      Salary:
      £30420.00 to £37030.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Engineer (Electrical Bias) job (opens in a new window) [31]
    • Estates Officer – Electrical & Energy

      Harrogate, HG2 7RY

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Harrogate Integrated Facilities
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Estates Officer – Electrical & Energy job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Electrical Maintenance Craftsman (Specialist)

      Poole, BH15 2JB

      Salary:
      £31049.00 to £37796.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrical Maintenance Craftsman (Specialist) job (opens in a new window) [33]
    • Specialist Craftsperson Electrical - Shifts

      317 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialist Craftsperson Electrical - Shifts job (opens in a new window) [34]
    • Estates Tradesperson (Electrical Bias)

      Crumpsall, M8 5RB

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Estates Tradesperson (Electrical Bias) job (opens in a new window) [35]
    • Band 4 Maintenance Craftsperson (electrical)

      Hampstead, London, NW3 2QG

      Salary:
      £31944.00 to £34937.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Band 4 Maintenance Craftsperson (electrical) job (opens in a new window) [36]
    • Electrical Engineering Technician (Multi-skilled)

      Haywards Heath, RH16 4EX

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrical Engineering Technician (Multi-skilled) job (opens in a new window) [37]
    • Electrically Biased Multi-Skilled Craftsman

      King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 4ET

      Salary:
      £31049.00 to £37796.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrically Biased Multi-Skilled Craftsman job (opens in a new window) [38]
    • Mechanical Plumbing Bias - Electrical/Engineering Craftsperson

      Bodelwyddan, LL18 5UJ

      Salary:
      £30420.00 to £37030.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Mechanical Plumbing Bias - Electrical/Engineering Craftsperson job (opens in a new window) [39]
    • Maintenance Technician/Team Leader (CMH) Electrical Bias

      Frome, BA11 2FH
      Shepton Mallet, BA4 4PG
      Wells, BA5 1XL
      Glastonbury, BA6 9DD

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Maintenance Technician/Team Leader (CMH) Electrical Bias job (opens in a new window) [40]
    • Electrical Maintenance Craftsperson - Potential Earnings of £47,397.

      Ryhope, SR2 0NB

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      NTW Solutions Limited
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Electrical Maintenance Craftsperson - Potential Earnings of £47,397. job (opens in a new window) [41]
    • Bank Band 6 Team Leader (Estate Tech - Electrical)

      Hampstead, NW3 2QG

      Salary:
      £27.20
      Type:
      Bank
      Employer:
      Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Bank Band 6 Team Leader (Estate Tech - Electrical) job (opens in a new window) [42]
    • Construction Industry Training Board [43]
    • Electrical Contractors Association [44]

Other roles that may interest you

  • Painter and decorator [45]
  • Engineer [46]
  • Estates technician [47]
  • Audio visual technician [48]

Source URL:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/estates-services/electrician

Links
[1] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-services/plumber [2] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-services/carpenterjoiner [3] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-services/bricklayer [4] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-and-facilities-management [5] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/i-am/secondary-school-or-fe-college/apprenticeships-traineeships-and-cadet-schemes [6] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/about/careers-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits/agenda-change-pay-rates [7] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#AfC [8] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-services [9] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-services/estates-technician [10] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/estates-services/engineer [11] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/about/working-health/nhs-constitution [12] http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/ [13] http://www.nhs.uk/aboutnhs/howthenhsworks/authoritiesandtrusts/Pages/Authoritiesandtrusts.aspx [14] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9320-25-0868 [15] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9179-25-0308 [16] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0653 [17] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9294-25-0350 [18] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9437-25-0506 [19] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/M9421-25-0031 [20] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9164-25-1376 [21] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9279-25-1270 [22] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9418-25-0842 [23] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9418-25-0843 [24] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9196-25-1244 [25] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9216-25-0872 [26] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9387-25-1299 [27] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9418-25-0806 [28] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9376-25-0448 [29] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0646 [30] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9317-25-0956 [31] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9001-25-0575 [32] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/M9421-25-0034 [33] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9153-25-0743 [34] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9317-25-0895 [35] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9349-25-2073 [36] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9391-25-1299 [37] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9279-25-1274 [38] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9426-25-0230 [39] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9050-25-1992 [40] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9184-25-1141 [41] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/M0031-25-0080 [42] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9391-25-1388 [43] http://www.citb.co.uk [44] http://www.eca.co.uk [45] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/estates-services/painter-and-decorator [46] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/estates-services/engineer [47] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/estates-services/estates-technician [48] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/support-services/audio-visual-technician